Preview: Hitler’s Headquarters at Newcastle’s Victoria Tunnel

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New play takes North East theatre-goers underground

Hitler’s Headquarters

Newcastle’s Victoria Tunnel

Monday 28^thSeptember – Sunday 11^th October 2015

Theatre-goers in the region can enjoy a one-off cultural experience beneath the streets of Newcastle this September and October. 

Twenty Seven Productions is working with the Ouseburn Trust to stage a World War 2-themed play in Newcastle’s Victoria Tunnel.

‘Hitler’s Headquarters’ will look at real life in Newcastle during some of the most severe bombings of the conflict and tell the stories of families who were made homeless and forced to take shelter beneath the city.

The Victoria Tunnel is a preserved 19th century wagon-way reaching from the Town Moor to the Tyne and in the 1800s was used to transport coal from Spital Tongues Colliery to the river. However, in 1939, the tunnel was converted into an air raid shelter to protect thousands of Newcastle citizens during World War 2.

In 2008, the Victoria Tunnel was carefully repaired and opened for guided tours with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and TyneWear Partnership. Since 2010 the Ouseburn Trust has operated guided tours with fully trained volunteer guides.

Twenty Seven Productions has been given exclusive access to perform its play, which can only be staged in front of an audience of 20 people at a time.

Twenty Seven Productions is an independent film and theatre production company, founded by Victoria Gibson, daughter of Boro Chairman, Steve Gibson, and Christopher Linton. The company stages a variety of live performances around the UK, supporting emerging talent.

Victoria Gibson said: “This is a whole new cultural experience for anyone interested in either the North East’s rich heritage or unusual stage productions. It’s nothing like the average play in a regular theatre as the audience will actually feel part of the whole experience- and get to see the magnificent Victoria Tunnel.

“As a production company, Twenty Seven Productions is committed to different and exciting live performances and nurturing the best new talent. We always work to push the boundaries of film and theatre and Hitler’s Headquarters illustrates this perfectly.”

Tickets:

Hitler’s Headquarters comes to The Victoria Tunnels in Newcastle on the Monday 28^thSeptember and runs until the Sunday 11^th October, with two shows a day at 4pm and 7pm; each show is an hour long in duration. Due to the nature of the show, we have limited availability so booking is absolutely essential.

Tickets are priced at £15 for adults and £10 for concessions. Booking can be done at http://twentysevenproductionsuk.com/ 

Should you require a group booking please call the booking hotline – 0333 666 3366  and have your card information ready. Please note that for customers booking via the telephone hotline, an extra £1.50 will be charged for booking fee.

For your own safety, we cannot admit anyone with mobility difficulties onto any of our shows.

Preview: Glenn Miller Story at Newcastle Theatre Royal

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TOMMY STEELE BRINGS GLENN MILLER STORY TO LIFE AT THEATRE ROYAL

The Glenn Miller Story

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Monday 21^st – Saturday 26^th September 2015

His music defined an era; his disappearance stunned the world…

A spectacular new show telling the extraordinary tale of the world’s most famous big band leader is heading to Newcastle Theatre Royal this September. The Glenn Miller Story, starring none other than music legend Tommy Steele, will be swinging into town for a must-not-miss run from Monday 21^st – Saturday 26^th September 2015.

Accompanied by a live 16-piece authentic Glenn Miller orchestra, as well as full supporting company of singers, dancers and actors, the story of one of the most iconic musical figures of the 20^th century will be told as never before.

The show is the brainchild of world famous producer Bill Kenwright and rock and roll legend Tommy Steele (who are professional colleagues and great friends), and the plan was hatched over one of their regular supper meetings together.

           

Tommy Steele

The “let’s find another show”conversations were long and varied and possibly included adaptations of every screen musical ever written. It was when discussing a particular favourite of theirs; the James Stewart box office smash The Glenn Miller Story, that Bill discovered that his all-encompassing love for Elvis was equal only to Tommy’s adoration for Glenn Miller and his Orchestra. Bill learned that Tommy was a true devotee; travelling all over the world to hear what remains of the original Orchestral Sounds, and was steeped in the knowledge and the glory of what Glenn Miller did for popular music. Tommy enthused that Glenn changed the face of it from 1939 – 1943 when he was the most popular recording artist in the world. Some might say similar to what Elvis did from the mid 50’s when he too was the most popular recording artist in the world.

The thought of Tommy Steele and The Glenn Miller Story was a wonderful opportunity to create something special in the mind of a producer like Bill. However, as Tommy told him, there was an obvious problem, although he’s still one of this country’s greatest song and dance men, Tommy was too old to play Glenn! It was three years later – at a dinner party celebrating Tommy’s award as the Most Popular Entertainer of All Time at the London Palladium – that they came up with what they believed to be the answer!! What was it?? Come and see for yourself when The Glenn Miller Story is at a theatre near you. But here’s a clue – Tommy Steele will not be the Narrator.

Tommy Steele was Britain’s first rock ‘n’ roll star. Dubbed the UK’s answer to Elvis Presley, he landed his first UK No.1 with Singing the Blues in January 1957, reaching the top spot before Elvis, who didn’t land his until the June that year. The big screen soon beckoned for Tommy, and that same year he filmed The Tommy Steele Story, one of Britain’s great rock ‘n’ roll movies. A soundtrack was released to coincide with the film’s opening and became the first album to reach No.1.

His legendary career includes over twenty hit singles, twelve hit movies and countless award winning stage musicals such as Half a Sixpence, Hans Andersen and Singin’ in the Rain. In recent years, Steele has starred as Christmas miser Scrooge in Bill Kenwright’s spectacular production of the festive musical, which enjoyed two successful runs at the world-famous London Palladium. It was a role that also made Steele the theatre’s all-time record breaking performer, having headlined more performances than any other star in the history of the Palladium.

Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright team up again to direct the show, having been at the helm of several award-winning musicals including Blood Brothers, Evita, and this year’s new production of Jesus Christ Superstar (at NewcastleTheatre Royal 14 –19 September). Choreography is by Olivier Award winner Bill Deamer (Top Hat, Evita, Save The Last Dance For Me).

The Glenn Miller Story promises to transport audiences young and old back to the days of the big band, and have them up on their feet jiving.

It’s been seventy years since Glenn Miller vanished over the English Channel as he flew to Paris to entertain the troops during the Second World War. Did he crash? Was he shot down? Will the mystery ever be solved?

 Tickets:

The Glenn Miller Storyplays Newcastle Theatre Royal from Monday 21st – Saturday 26th September 2015, evenings at 7.30pm, matinees Thursday 2pm and Saturday 2.30pm. Tickets from £13.00 (save 50p per ticket online). 

Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge) or book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk